Body Conditioning.
Body Conditioning for Dogs
Emaciated
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences avident from a distance. No discernable body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.
Very Thin
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible. No palpable fat. Some evidence of other bony prominence. Minimal loss of muscle mass.
Thin
Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist and adominal tuck.
Underweight
Ribs easily palpable, with minimal fat covering. Waist easily noted, viewed from above. Abdominal tuck evident.
Ideal
Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdominal tucked up when viewed from side.
Overweight
Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernable viewed from above but is not prominent. Abdominal tuck apparent.
Heavy
Ribs palpable with difficulty, heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be absent.
Obese
Ribs not palpable under heavy fat cover, or palpable only with significant pressure. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent. No abdominal tuck. Obvious abdominal distention may be present.
Grossly Obese
Massive fat deposits over thorax, spine and base of tail. Waist and abdominal tuck absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs. Obvious abdominal distention.
Body Conditioning for Cats
Emaciated
Ribs visible on shorthaired cats; no palpable fat; severe abdominal tuck; lumbar vertebrae and wing of ilia easily palpated.
Very Thin
hared characteristics of BCS 1 and 3.
Thin
Ribs easily palpable with minimal fat covering; lumbar vertebrae obvious; obvious waist behind ribs; minimal abdominal fat.
Underweight
Shared characteristics of BCS 3 and 5.
Ideal
Well proportioned; observe waist behind ribs; ribs palpable with slight fat covering; abdominal fat pad minimal.
Overweight
Shared characteristics of BCS 5 and 7.
Heavy
Ribs not easily palpated with moderate fat covering; waist poorly discernable; obvious rounding of abdomen; moderate abdominal fat pad.
Obese
Shared characteristics of BCS 7 and 9.
Grossly Obese
Ribs not palpable under heavy fat cover; heavy fat deposits over lumbar area, face and limbs; distention of abdomen with no waist; extensive abdominal fat deposits.